Rejection: How do you just get over it??? Last year was my first year to apply to some larger shows in our area. I was shocked that I got into both and was so nervous! they both were fine and I felt confident in myself this year to just do them both again. Ha!
Just received my rejection letter from the one I liked the best of the 2. Wishing I knew what I did wrong :(. Or what others did right. I felt that my photos were pretty darn good. Why was I accepted one year and not the other? Yep, a little pity party. Just trying to learn how to suck it up and get past the rejection of my art. How do you deal?
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I concur ... Just shrug it off and grow from the experience. If you happen to be free on the weekend of the local shows you were rejected to, then go to the shows. Bring fiends with you and visit your fellow category peers. Try to be unbiased and steer away from the thought ("oh, my work is MUCH better than his/hers") ... But carefully look at their work, their booth setups, network with them and exchange cards with those whom are friendly, take photos/notes of booth setups you would like to consider, ask your friends to give you their honest opinion of their work and constructive comments on how it compares to yours.
Either way, I assume from your profile that you are a jeweler ... As far as I know, that is one of the most competitive categories ... Rejection is the norm for most. Just keep positive and learn from the rejections.
First, you are not your art and it isn't a rejection of you personally, that said it is hard not to think you did something wrong. The truth is you may have done nothing wrong. They may have wanted to get new artists every year or the jurying committee changes and personal tastes also do. There are so many reasons and it just goes with the territory. Keep doing what you know you are good doing and apply again. Good luck.
I also think that some shows like to rotate artists to keep their shows looking new instead of the same artists year after year. I don't blame them for that. When I first started doing shows there are a couple of shows I got into right off the bat. Surprised me! Now my art (I'm a glass artist) has evolved and I have gotten better at what I do and I can't get back into those shows. Every year I try to apply to a couple of shows I haven't done. Try something new. This year I have been surprised in a good way. Shows I've over looked thinking they were small and not worth my effort turned out to be some of my best. You never know.
Good luck!
This year I got rejected by two Florida shows that I'd done last year, representing about $6500 in income. I called a friend of mine who also serves as a business coach, whined for a minute about my bad luck. She listened carefully, and then said, "OK. I got it, life sucks. It's not personal. Now: What are you going to do to make up that income?"
The next day I had a plan and a mission statement to come out of April 15% ahead of where I'd been same time in 2011. I made it with room to spare.
It sucks to be rejected. It sucks worse to be a victim of it. So shake it off and make a plan, write it down, and share it with someone who will hold you to account for your success.
Good luck!
I've noticed that a number of artists apply to multiple shows for a particular date. How does that work? I understand playing the odds, but what happens if you're accepted into more than one show? Do you try to get a refund or just accept the loss as part of doing business?
Thanks!
You also can stagger your applications so that you are notified by one before the deadline for applying to the second.
Larry Berman
Http://BermanGraphics.com
Hi There,
Being new was a help. I think jurors have seen it all , as well. I have gotten comfy with shows and put off improving slides and booth shots, often because I'm sure some painting I'm going to do later will be the key element. Then I use the same old images! Even after 36 years,i'm still miffed when I get rejected and astonished when I get into a really good show! I now am tickled by the brand new artists that get into EVERYTHING they want, that first year, and are ready to quit the day job ,hire assistants, and go global. It is all you can do to keep your mouth shut and be positive.They are so adorable and we were all young(or new) once. I started in malls, painting portraits of babies and schnauzers from life so I compare all trials to those days.And it wasn't so bad,you and your patron agreed that the subject was the most wonderful in the world. So please don't take anything personally.
You have to be resilient. Just keep moving on, do not look back.
This year so fr, I have been accepted 28 times, rejected 11 and on the wait list for 4-- seems like an average year. Rejection is just one small part of the business.
You have to remember some shows get applications WAY over what they let in to exhibit so they have to find eliminating factors. I really wouldn't want to be jurying some of the big shows in fact when judges stop by my booth for judging awards I always tell them Good Luck because they have to pick a dozen or so out 250 artists LOL.The sting gets less as you go along tho it always stings but stay true to your work if you're getting in shows you're doing something right.
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